Chapter L (continued, part 2)
" brother," i. e., nephew, who little deserved that hesliould Incur trouble or danger on his account. But Abram, far from rendering evil for evil, resolved to take immediate measures for the rescue of Lot. 14. And when Abram heard that his brother wa« taken cajitive, lie armed his trained servants—domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still, and are considered and ti-eiUed as members of the family. If Abram could spare three liundred and eighteen slaves and leave a sufficient number to take care of the flocks, what a large establishment lie must have had. 15, 16. he divided himself . . . by night—This war between the petty princes of ancient Canaan is exactly the same as the frays and skirmishes between Arab chiefs in the present day. When a defeated party resolve to pursue the enemy, they wait till they are fast asleep—then, as they have no idea of posting sentinels, they rush upon them from diiierent directions, strike down the tent poles—if there is any fight at all, it is the fray of a tumultuous mob—a panic commonly ensues, and the whole contest is ended with little or no loss on either side. 18. Melcliizedck—This victory conferred a public benefit on that part of the country; and Abram, on his return, was treated with high respect and consideration, particularly by the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, who seems to have been one of the few native princes, if not the only one, who knew and worshipped, "the Most High God," whom AbrarA served. Tills king who was a type of the Saviour (Hebrews 7. 1), came to bless God for the victory which had been won, and in the name of God to bless Alsram, by whose arms it had been achieved—a pious acknowledgment which we should Imitate on succeeding in any lawful enterprise. 20. hi gave him tithes of all—Here
Ver. 1-16. Bestowment OF Hagar. 1. 5ro%vSarai . , . had a handmaid—a female slave—one of those obtained in Egypt. 3. Saral . . . gave her to . . . Abram to be his wife—wife is here used to describe an inferior, though not degrading relation, in countries where polygamy prevails. In the case of these female slaves, whicli are the personal property of his lady, being purchased before her marriage or given as a special present to herself—no one can become the husband's secondary wife without her mistress' consent or permission. This usage seems to have prevailed In patriarchal times ; and Hagar, the slave of Sarai, of whom she had the entire right of disposing, was given by her mistress' spontaneous olfer, to be the secondary wife of Abram, in the hope of obtaining the long-looked for heir. It was a wrong step—indicating a want of simple reliance on God—and Sarai was the first to reap the bitter fruits of her device. 5. And Sarai said
Is an evidence of Abram's piety, ps well as of his valour; for it was to a prie.st or official mediator between God and him, that Abram gave a tenth of the spoil—a token of his gratitude and in honour of a Divine ordinance (Proverbs 3.9). iil. the King of Sodom said . . . Give me the persons—According to the war customs still existing among the Arab tribes, Abram might have retained the recovered goods—and his right was acknowledged by the king of Sodom. But with honest pride, and a generosity unlinown in tliat part of the world, he replied with strong phraseology common to tlie East, " I have lifted up mine han<l {i.e., I have sworn unto the Lord), that I will not ake from a thread even to a sandal-thong—that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldst say, I have made Abram rich."
. . . My wrong be upon thee—Bursts of temper, or blows, as the original may bear, took place, till at length Hagar, perceiving the hopelessness of maintaining the unequal
strife, resolved to escape from what had become to her In reality, as well as In name, a house of bonrtnge. 7. And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain—This well, pointed out by tradition, lay on the side of the caravan road, in tlie midst of Sliur, a sandy desert on the west of Arabia PetraMi, to the extent of 1511 miles, between Palestine and Egypt, By taking that direction, she seems to have Intended to return to her relatives in that country,
Ver. 1-21. Divine Encouragement. 1. After these tilings—the conquest of the Invading kings, the word of
Renewal of the Covenant GENESIS XVII, XVIII. Enlertainmenl of Angd».
18. O tljat Ishmael might live before thee—natural solicitude of a parent. But God's thoughts are not as man's thoughts. 19, ao. The blessings of the covenant aie reserved for Isaac, but common blessings were abundantly promised to Ishmael; and though the visible Church did not descend from his family, yet per.sonally he might, and it is to be hoped did, enjoy its benefits.
Nothing but pi ide, passion, and sullen obstinacy, could havedilven .any solitary person to brave the dangers of
sucii an inhospitable wild ; and slie must have died, had not the timely appearance and words of the angel recalled her to reflection and duty. 11. Ishmael—Like other Hebrew names, this had a signification, and it is made up of two words—" God hears.' The reason is explained. 1:3. lie will S»e a wild man—Zi7., a wild ass man, expressing how the wlldness of Ishmael and his descendants reseml)les that of the wild ass. liis Uaiid ivill be against every man—ilescriptive of the rude, titrbulent, and plundering character of the Arabs, dwell in tlie presence of nil his bretliren—dwell, i. e., pitch tents; and the meaning is that they maintain tlieir independence in spite of all attempts to extirpate or subdue them. 13. called tUe name—c-ommon in ancient times to name place* from circumstances; and the name given to this well was a grateful recounitiou of God's gracious appearance iu the hour of her distress.
Ver. 1-8. Entektainment of Angels, 1. the I^ord appeared—another manifestation of the Divine presence, more familiar than any yet narrated ; and more like that in the fulness of time, when the Word was made flesh, plains of Mamre—rather, terebinth or oak of Mamre—
tall-spreading tree or grove of trees, sat in the tent dooi —the tent itself being too close and sultry at noon, the shaded open front'is usually resorted to for the air that may be stirring. 3. lift up his eyes . . . and, lo, three men—Travellers in th.at quarter start at sunrise and continue till midday, when they look out for some restingplace, he raji to meet them—When the visitor is an ordinary person, they merely rise ; tut if of superior rank, the custom is to advance a little towards the stranger, and after a very low bow, turn and lead him to the tent—putting an arm round his waist, or tapping him on the shoulder as they go, to assure him of welcome. 3. My Lord, if now I liave found favour—The hospitalities offered are just of the kind that are necessary and most grateful, the refreshment of water, for feet exposed to dust and heat by the sandals being still the first observed amongst the pastoral people of Hebron. 5. for tlierefore are ye comeNo questions Avere asked. But Abraham knew their object by the course they took—approaching directly ia front of the chief shcick's tent, which is always distinguishable from the re.st, and thus showing their wish to be his guests. 6. Abraltam hastened . . . unto Sarah
Ver. 1-27. Renewal OF THE Covenant. 1. Abram . . . ninety years old and nine—Thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. During that interval he had enjoyed the comforts of con\munlon with God, but had been favoured with no special revelation as formerly, probably on account of his hasty and blameable marriage with Ilagar. Uie Lord ajijieared—some visible manifestation of the Divine presence, probably the shecliinah or radiant glory of overpowering efl'ulgence. I am the Almigltfy God the name by which He made himself known to tlie patriarchs (Exodus G. 3), designed to convey the sense of "allsutticient" (Psalm 5, 0; 73. 25). walk . . . and be . . . perfect—uprigl)t, sincere (Psalm 61. 6) in heart, speech, and behaviour. 3. Abram fell on his face—the attitude of profoundest reverence assumed by Eastern peojile. It consists in the prostrate body resting on the hands and knees, with the face bent till the forehead touclies the ground. It is an expression of conscious humility and profound reverence. 4:. my covenant is with thee—renewed mention is made of it as the foundation of the communication that follows. It is the covenant of grace made with nil who believe in the Saviour. 5. but thy name shall be Abraham—In Eastern countries a change of name is an advertisement of some new circumstance in the hi.st()ry, rank, or religion of the individual who bears it. The change is made variously, by the old name being entirely dropped for the new, or by conjoining the new witli the old, or sometimes only a few letters are inBerted, so that the altered form may express the dill'erence in the owner's state or prospects. It is surprising how soon a new name is known and its import spread through the country. In dealing with Abraham and Sarai, God was pleased to adapt His procedure to the ideas and customs of the country and age. Instead of Abram, "a high father," he was to be called Abraliam, father of a nuillitude of nations (Revelation 2. 17). 6-8. I will give unto thee . . . the land—It had been previously promised to Abraham and his posterity (ch. 15. IS). Here it is prf)mised as an "everlasting possession," and was, therefon?, a type of heaven, "the better country" (Hebrews II. Ifil. 10. IDvery man-cliild among you shall be eireuinclsed—This was the sign in the Old Testament t'hurcb as baptism is in tlie Now, and hence the covenant is called "covenant of circumcision" (Acts 7. 8; Romans -1. 11). The terms of the covenant were these—on the one haiul Abraham an<I his seed were to observe the rlglit of circumcision ; and on the other, God promised. In the event of such observance, to give them Canaan for n perpetual possession, to be a God to him and his posterity, and that In him and his seed all nations should be blessi'd.
. . . make cakes upon the hearth—Bread is baked daily, and no more than Is required for family use, and always by the women, commonly Uie wife. It is a short process. Flour mixed with water is made into dough, and being rolled out into cakes, it is placed on the earthen floor, jireviously heated by a fire. Tl»e Are being removed, the cakes are laid on the ground, and being covered over with hot embers, are soon baked, and eaten the moment they are taken off. 7. Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf—Animal food is never provided except for visitors of a superior rank, when a kid or lamb is killed. A calf is still a higher stretcli of hospitality, and it would probably be cooked as is usually done when haste is required—either by roasting it whole or by cutting it up into small pieces, and broiling them on skewers over the
flre. It is always eaten along with boiled corn swimming in butter or melted fat. Into which every moi-sel of meat, laid ujion a piece of bread, is dipped, before being conveye<t by the fingers to the mouth. 8. milk—a bowl of camel's milk ends the repast, he stood by them under the tree—The host himself, even though he has a number of servants, deems it a necessary act of politeness to stand wliile his guests arc at their food, and Abraham evidently
di<l this before he was awaro of the real characUsr of hla visitors.
9-15. REPKOOFOFSAiiAn. An liiQulfy about hls wlfc, 80 surprising In strangers—the subject of conversation, and the fullilment of the fondly-cherished promise within a speclllcd lime, showed Abraham that he had been entertiilnlng more than ordinary travellers (Hebrews 13.2). 10. Siiriih heard it in tlie tent door, which was behind l»im—The women's apartment Is In the back of the
tiMit, dlvUled by a thin partition from the men's. 19. Therefore Sarnh laughed witltin herself-long delay seems to have weakened faith. Sarah treated the announcement as Incredible, and when taxed with the silent sneer, she added falsehood to distrust. It was an aggravated oll'ence (Acts 5. 1), and nothing but grace saved her (Romatis <). 18).
l.'j, 10. As for fiaral ... I will . . . give tliee a son iilso of her—Ood's jjurposes are gradually made known. A Bon had been long ago promised to Abraham. Now, at length, for the flrst time he Is Informed that It was to be a child of Sarai. 17. Abraham fell upon his face, and laugl»ed— It was not the sneer of unbelief, but a smile of delight nt (lie Improbabl Ity of the event (Romans 1. 20). 26
16-22. llisc^LosuuK OF SonoM's Doom. 10. the men rote
. . , Abraham went with tlicin—It ia customary for •
IjoCs EiUcrtainment. GENESIS XIX, XX. Abralmiii'n Denial oj ki3 Wi/e,
host to escort his guests a little way. 17. tlie Lord said,
safest at once to folltjw implicitly the Divine directions. tli, Hnste . . . for I cannot do any tiling till thou ba come thitlier—Tlie ruin of Sodom was suspendi d till ha was secure. What care does God take of His people (Revelation 7. 3)—what a proof of the love which God bore to a good though weak man ! '-44. Tlien tlie Lord rained . . . brimstone and fire from . . . lieaven—God, iu aeconiplisliing His purposes, acts immediately or mediately through the agency of means ; and there are strong grounds for believing that it was in tlie latter way ho effected the overthrow of the cities of the plain—that it was, in fact, by a volcanic eruption. Tlie raining down of fire and brimstone from heaven is perfectly accordant with this idea, since those very substances being raised into the air by the force of the volcano, would fall in a
Sliall I lilde—the chief strany;er—no other than the Lord disclosed to Abraham the awful doom aljout to be luUioted on Sodom and the cities of the plain for their enormous wiclcedness. !41. I will go down . . . and see—language nsed after the manner of men. These cities were to lie made ensamples to ail future ages of God's severity ; and therefore ample proof given tliat tlie judgment was neither rasli uor excessive (Ezelciel 18.23; Jeremiali 18.7).
2-'!-33. Abraham's Intekcession, 23. Abraliain drew near, and said, &c.—The scene described is full of interest anci instruction—sliowlng iu an unmistalcable manner the efficacy of prayer and intercession. (See also Proverbs
15. 8; .James .5. IG). Abraliam reasoned Justly as to the rec-
tituile of the Divine procedure (Romans 3. ;5, 6), and many guilty cities and nations liave been spared on account of God's peopledlattliewo. 13; 2-1.22). 33. tKe Lord . . . left coininnnijtg . . . and Abraham returned unto Ikis place—Wliy did Abraham cease to carry his intercessions
lierj' sliower on the surrounding region. Tins view seems countenanced by Job. Whether it was miraculously pro duced, or the natural operation employed by God, it is not of mucli consequence to determine: it was a Divine judgment, foretold and designed for the punisliment of those who were sinners exceedingly. 30. Lot was accompanied by liis wife and two daughters. Rut whether
fartlier? Either because lie fondly thought tiiat lie was now sure of the cities being preserved (Luke 13.9), or because the Lord restrained his mind ft'om farther intercession (Jeremiah 7.16; 11.11). But there were not ten " rigliteous persons." There was only one, and he miglit without injustice have perished in the general overtlin^w (Ecclesiastes 9.2). But a difference is sometimes made, and on this occasion the grace of God was manifested in a signal manner for the salve of Abraham. What a blessing to be connected with a saint of God
it was from irresistible curiosity or perturbation of fettling, or she was about to return to save sonietliing, his wife lingered, and while thus disolieying the parting counsel, " to look not l:)ack, nor stay in al! the plain," the torrent of liquid lava enveloped her, so that she liecame the victim of lier supine indolence or sinful rashness. 27. Abraham gat up early in tlie morning, &c.— Abraham was at this time in Mamre, near Heliron, and a traveller last year verified tlie trutli of this passage. "From the heiglit whicli overlooks Hebron, where the patriarch stood, tlie observer at the present day has an extensive view spread out before him towards the Dead
Vpr. 1-38. Lot's Entertainment. 1. tljere came two an<^els—most probably two of those that liad been with Abraham, commissioned to execute the Divine judgment against Sodom. Lot sat In tlie'gate of Sodom—In Eastern cities it is the market, the seat of justice, of social intercourse and amusement, especially a favourite lounge in the evenings, the arched roof affording a pleasant sliade.
sea. A cloud of smoke rising from the plain would be visible to a person at Hebron now, and could have been, tlierrfore, to Aliraham as he looked toward Sodom on the morning of its destruction by God." [Hackett.] It must have been an awful sight, and is frequently alluded to in Scripture (Deuteronomy 29. 23 ; Isaiah 13. 19 ; Jude 7). " The plain which is now covered by the Salt or Dead sea shows in the great ditference of lAvel between the bottoms of the northern and southern ends of the lake—tlie latter being 13 feet and the former 1300—that the sontliern end was of recent formation, and submerged at the time of the fall of the cities." [Lynch.] 29. when God destroyed tlie cities, &c.—This Is most welcome and instructive after so painful a narrative. It shows if God is a "consuming Are" to the wicked. He is the friend of tlie righteous. He "remembered" the intercessions of Abraham, and what confidence should not this give us that He will rememlier the intercessions of a greater Uian Abraham in our behalf.
a. ttim In, I pray you . . . tarry all nlglit—offer of tlie same generous hospitalities as described In the preceding chapter, and which are still spontaneously practised in the small towns. And tliey said, Nay ; but we will abide in tlie street all niglit—Where there are no inns, and no acquaintance, it is not uncommon for travellers
to sleep in the street wrapped up in their cloaks. 3. entered into His bouse—On removing to the plain, Lot intended at first to live in his tent apart from the people. But he was gradually drawn In, dwelt in the city, and he and his family were connected with the citizens by marriage ties. 4:. men of Sodom, compassed tlie house Appalling proofs are here given of their wickedness. It
Is evident that evil communications had corrupted good manners, otherwise Lot would never liave acted as he
did. la, 13. Hast thou liere any besides J . . . we will destroy this place—Apostolic authority has declared Lot
Ver. 1-18. Abraham's Denial of his Wife. 1. Abraliam Journeyed from thence . . . and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur—Leaving the encampment, he migrated to the soutliern border of Canaan. In the neighbourhood of Gerar was a very rich and well-watered pasture land. 2. Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister—Fear of the people amongst whom he was, tempted him to equivocate. His conduct was highly culpable. It was deceit, deliberate and premeditatedthere was no sudden pressure upon him—it was the second offence of the kind—it was a distrust of God every way surprising, and it was calculated to produce injurious effects on the heathen around. Its mischievous tendency was not long in being developed. Ablmelech (fatherking) . . . sent and tools Sarah—to be one of his wives. In the exercise of a privilege claimed by Eastern sovereigns, already explained, ch. 12.19. 3. But God came to Ablmelech In a dream—In early limes a dream was often made the medium of communicating important truths; and this method was adopted for the preservation of Sarah. 9. Then Ablmelech called Abraham, and said . . . What hast thou done!—In what a hu-
wa-s "a rigliteous man" (2 Peter 2.8), at bottom good, though he contented himself with lamenting the sins that he saw, Instead of acting on his own convictions, and withdrawing himself and family from such a sink of corruption. But favour was shown him: and even liis bad relatives had, for his sake, an offer of deliverance, whicli was ridiculed and spurned (2 Peter 3. 4). 15-ir. The kindly interest tlie angels took In the preservation of Lot is beautifully displayed. But he " lingered." Was
It from sorrow at the prospect of losing all his property, the acquisition of many years? or was It that his benevolent heart was paralyzed by thoughts of the awful crisis? This is the charitable way of accounting for a delay that must have been fatal but for the friendly violence and urgency of the angel. 18, 19. Lot said . .
.' Oh I not so, my Lord ... I cannot escape to the mountain—What a strange want of faith and fortitude, as if He who had Interfered for his rescue would not have protected him in the mountain solitude. !41. See, I liave accepted thee concemini; this . . . also—His request was granted him, the prayer of faith availed, and to convince him, from bis own experience, that it would have been best and
£irth of Isaac GENESIS XXI, XXIL Offering Isaac
niili;itlng plight does the patrlarth now appear—he, a servant of the true God, rebuked by a heatheu prince. Wlio would not rather be in the place of Abimelech than of the honoured but sadly otTending patriarch ! What a dignified attitude is that of the king—calmly and justly reproving the sin of the prophet, but respecting his person, and heaping coals of tire on his head by the liberal presents made to him. 11. Abraham said ... I tlioxiglit, Surely tlie lear of God is not in f liis place—From tlie horrible vices of Sodom he seems to liave taken up the Impression, tliat all other cities of Canaan were e(iually corrupt. There might have been few or none who feared God, but what a sad thing when men of tlie world show a higlier sense of honour and a greater abhorrence of crimes than a true worshipper! 13. yet Indeed sUe is my sister—See on ch. 11. 3. What a poor defence Abraham made. The statement absolved him from the charge of direct and absolute falsehood, but he had told a moral untruth, because there was an intention to deceive (cf. ch. 12. 11-13). " Honesty is always the best policy." Abraham's life would have been as well protected without tlie fraud as with it: and what shame to himself—what distrust to God—wliat dishonour to religion might have t)een prevented ! " Let us speak truth every man to his neiglibour."
southern border of Palestine, but out of the common direction, a wide-extending 'desert, where they missed the track. 15. the water was spent, Ac—Ishmael sunk exhausted from fatigue and thirst—his mother laid his head under one of the bushes to smell the damp, while she herself, unable to witness his distress, sat down at a little distance in hopeless sorrow. 19. God opened her eyes Had she forgotten the promise (ch. 16. 11)? M'lietlier she looked to God or not. He regarded her and directed lier to a fountain close beside her, but probably hid amid brushwood, by the waters of which her almost expiring son was revived. 20, 81. God was witli the lad, Ac—Pai-an, i. p., Arabia, where his posterity have ever dwelt (cf. ch. 16. 12; also Isaiah 48. 19; 1 Peter 1. 2.')). his mother took him a wife-On a father's death, the mother looks out for a wife for her son, however j'oung; anu as Ishmael was now virtually deprived of his father, his rnother set about forming a m.arriage connection for him, it would seem, amongst her relatives.
22-34. Covenant. 32. Abimelech and PlilcholHere a proof of the promise (ch. 12. 2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. The proposal was reasonable, and agreed to. 25-31. Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well Wells were of great importance to a pastoral chief and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly Infeolt in person. If, however, they were allowed to get out of repair, the restorer acquired a right to them. In unoccupied lands the possession of wells gave a right of property in the land, and dread of this had caused the offence for which Abraham reproved Abimelech. Some describe four, others five wells in Beer-sheba. 33. Abraham planted a grove Hebrew of tani.arisks. In which sacrificial worship was otTercd, as in a roofless temple. 34. Abraham sojourned In the Philistines' land —A picture of pastoral and an emblem of Christian life.
Ver. 1-13. Birth of Isaac. 1. tlie Lord visited Sarali —^The language of the historian seems designedly chosen
to magnify the power of God as wel as His faithfulness to His promise. It was God's grac:, that brought about that event, as well as the raising of spiritual cliildren to Abraham, of which the birth of this son was typical. [Calvix.] 3, 4. Abraliam called tUe name off Ills son
. . . Isaac . . . and circumcised—God was ackuowWdgcd in the name which, by Divine command, was given for a memorial (cf. ch. 17. 19), and also in tlie dedication of tlie child by administering the seal of the covenant (cf. ch. 17.
10-12). 8. tlie cliild grew, and was weaned—children are suckled longer in the /East tlian in Europe—boys nsually for two or three years. Abraliam made a great feast, Ac.—In Eastern countries this is always a season of domestic festivity, and the newly-weaned child is formally brought, in presence of the assembled relatives and friends, to partake of some simple viands. Isaac, attired In the s^iibolic robe—the badge of birthright—was tlien adiiiittrd heir of the tribe. [Rosenmullsr.] 9. Sarah saw the son of Hagar . . . mocking—Isliniael was aware of the great change in his prospects, and under the impulse of irritated or resentful feelings, in whicli he was probably joined by his mother, treated the young heir with derision and probably some violence (Galatians
Ver. 1-19. Offekino Isaac. 1. God tlld tempt Abraliam—not incite to sin (James 1. 13), but try, prove—give occasion for the development of his faith (1 Peter 1. 7). and he said, . . . Here I am—ready at a moment's warning for God's service. 3. Take now thy son, Ac,—Every circumstance mentioned was calculated to given deeper stab to tlie parental bosom. To lose his only son, and by an act of his own hand, too!—what a host of conflicting feelings must tlie order have raised: but he heard and obeyed witliout a murmur (Galatians 1. 16; Luke 14. 20). 3. Abraliam rose . . . early, Ac.—That there might be no appearance of delay or reluctance on his part, he made every preparation for the sacrifice before setting out—the materials, tlie knife, the servants to convey them-from Beer-slieba to Moriah, being a journey of two days; he had the painful secret pent up in his bosom all tl.at time; and as so distant a place must have been cliosen for some Important reason, it is generally thouglil that "tlie place of which God had told him" was one of the liills of ,Ierusalem, on wliicli tlie Great Sacrifice was afterwards ofl'ered. 4. on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, Ac, Leaving the servants at i\u: toot, tlie fatlier and son ascended the hill—tlie one bearing the khile; the other, the wood for consuming llie sacrifice, lint there was no victim; and to the question so naturally put by l.siu*c, Abraham contented himself by replying, " My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a bunit-ollering." It luis been suiiposetl, that the design of tills extraordinary transaction was to show him, bjv a''tion instead of words, the way in which all tlie families of the eartli should be blessed; and that in his answer to Isaac, he anticipated some substitution. It is more likely tliat his words wer« spoken evaslvi'ly to his son -.in ignorance of tlie Issue yet in iinbound(Hl coiifldeiu'e that that son, though saerl-
4. 29). 10. ^Vhereforc she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bond-woman—Nothing but tlie expulsion of both could now preserve harmony in the houscliold. Abraham's perplexity was relieved by an announcement of the Divine will, which in every tiling, liowever painful to flesh and blood, all who fear God and are walking In his ways will, like him, promptly obey. Tliis story, as the apostle tells us, is "an allegory," and the "persi^cution" by the son of the Enyptinn was the commeiu'ement of the four hundred years' aflliction of Alnaliam's seed by tlie Egijpllans. 13. in all that Sarah hath said— it
Is called the Scripture (Galatia-ns 4.30). 13. also of tiie eon of the bond-woman will I malic a nation—Tli us Providence overruled a family brawl to give rise to two great and extraordinary peoples.
14-21. ExPULSrON OF ISHMAEL. l-t. Abvaliam rose up early, Ac.—early, that the wanderers might reach an asylum before noon. Bread Includes all sorts of victuals
bottle, a leathern vessel, formed of tlie entire skin of a lamb or kid sewed up, with the legs for handles, usually carried over the shoulder. Ishmael was a lad of seventeen years, and It Is quite customary for Arab chiefs to send outtlieir sons at such an age to do for tliemselves: often with notlilng but a few days' provisions In a bag. wandered In tlie wilderness of llcer-«l>el>a—In tlio 28
lU^i'd, would. In some miraculous way, he restorid {Mebrews 11. 191. 9. Abraham built an altar, Ac—Had not the patriarch been sustained by the full consciousness of acting in obedience to God's will, the eltort must have been too great for liuman endurance ; and liail not Isa^iv)
ABRAHAM AND ISAAC.
A Marriage Commission, GENESIS XXIII—XXV. TJie Journey.
—then upwards of twenty years of age displayed equal
obliged to intrust this delicate mission to Eliezer, whom, although putting entire confidence in him, he on this occasion bound by a solemn oath. A pastoral chief in the present day would take tlie same plan if he could not go himself.
faith in submitting—this great trial could not have gone through. 11, 1'-i. tlie angel . . . called, &c.—The sacrifice was virtually otfered—the intention, the purpose to do it, was shown in all sincerity and fulness. Tlie Omniscient
10-67. The Journey. 10. the servant took ten camt>
Ivitness likewise declared His acceptance in the highest
els, &c.—So great an equipage was to give tlie embassy an appearance worthy of the rank and wealth of Abraham ; to carry provisions ; to bear the marriage presents, which as usual would be distributed over several beasts; besides one or two spare camels in case of emergency, went to Mesopotamia, &c.—A stranger in those regions, who wishes to obtain information, stations himself at one of the wells in the neighbourhood of a town, and he is sure to learn all the news of the place from the women who frequent them every morning and evening. Eliezer followed this course, and letting his camels rest, he waited
terras of approval ; and the apostle speaks of it as actually made (Ilebrews 11. 17; James 2. 21), 13-19. Abraham lifted up Ills eyes . . . and bcliold ... a ram, ifcc.—No method was more admirably calculated to give the patri-
arcli a distinct idea of the purpose of grace, than this scenic representation: and heuce our Lord's allusion to
It (John 8. 56). CHAPTER XXIII.
Ver. 1, 2. Age and Death of Sarah. 1. Sarah was an Iiuudred and seven and twenty years old, &c. The only woman in Scripture whose age, death, and burial are mentioned, probably to do honour to the venerable mother of the Hebrew people. 3. Abraham came to moiiru for Sarali, ifcc—He came from his own tent to lake his station at the door of Sarah's. The " mourning "
till the evening time of water-drawing. 13. And he said, O Lord God of my master—The servant appears wortliy of the master he served. He resolves to follow tlie leading of Providence; and while he sliows good sense in the tokens he fixes upon of ascertaining the temper and character of the future bride, never doubts but that in such a case God will direct him. 15-21. before he had done speaking . . . behold, Rebekah came out—as he anticipated, a young woman unveiled, as in pastoral regions, appeared with her pitcher on her slioulder. Her comely appearance, her affable manners, her obliging courtesy in going down the steps to fetch water not only to him, but to pour it into the trough for his camels, afforded him the most agreeable surprise. Slie was the very person his imagination had pictured, and he proceeded to reward her civility. 33. the man took a golden earring, &c.—The ring was not for the ear, but the nose; and the armlets, such as young women in Syria and Arabia still appear daily at wells decked in. They are worn from the elbow to the wrist, commonly made of silver, copper, brass, or horn, 33-37. And said. Whose daughter art thou 1—After telling her name and family, the kind-liearted damsel hastened home to give notice of a stranger's arrival. 28. and told them of her motlier's house these things—thd female apartments. Tliis family were inan advanced stage of pastoral life, dwelling in a Settled place and a fixed habitation. 29-31. Rebekah had a brother , , . L.aban ran out—From what we know of his character, there is reason to believe that the sight of the dazzling presents Increased both his haste and his invitation. 33-49. the man came into the house, &c.—What a beautiful picture of piety, fidelity, and disinterestedness in a servant ! He declined all attention to his own comforts till he had told his name and his errand. 50. Then Laban and Bethuel answered—The brothers conduct all the marriage negotiations, tlieir father being probalily dead, and witliout consulting their sister. Their language seems to indicate they were worshippers of the true God. 53. And the servant brought forth Jewels of silver, and . . . gold —These are the usual articles with money, that form a woman's dowry among the pastoral tribes. Rebekali was betrothed, and accompanied the servant to Canaan. «!. she lighted offthe camel—If Isaac was walking it would have been most unmannerly for her to have continued seated; an inferior, if riding, always alights in presence of a person of rank, no exception being made for women. 65. she took a veil, and covered herself—The veil is an essential part of female dress. In country places it is often thrown aside, but on the appearance of a stranger it
describes his conformity to tlie customary usage of sitting on the ground for a time; while the "weeping" indicates
tlie natural outburst of his sorrow.
3-20. Purchase of a Burying-Place. 3. Abraham stood np, &c.—Eastern people are always provided with family burying-places; but Abraham's life of faith—his pilgrim state—had prevented him acquiring even so small a possession (Acts 7. 5). spake unto the sons of Heth he bespoke their kind offices to aid him in obtaining possession of a cave that belonged to Ephron—a wealthy neighbour. 9. Machpelah—the double cave. 10. Ephron dwelt— was "sitting" among the children of Heth in thegateof the city where all business was transacted. But, though a chief man among them, he was probalily unknown to Abraham. 11-15. Ephron answered, Nay, my Lord, &c.—Here is a great show of generosity—but it was only a show ; for while Abraham wanted only the cave —he joins "the fleldand the cave; " and though he offered them both as free gifts—he, of course, expected some costly presents in return—witli which, he would not have been easily satisfied. The patriarch, knowing this, wished to make a purchase, and asked the terms. 15. the land Is worth four hundred shekels, &c.—as if Ephron had said. Since you wisli to know the value of the property, it
Is so and so ; but that is a trifle, which you may pay or not as it suits you. They spoke in the common forms of Arab civility, and this indifference was mere affectation. 16. Abraham weighed . . . the sliver—The money, amounting to £oO, was paid in presence of the assembled witnesses; and it was weighed. The practice of weighing money, which is often in lumps or rings, stamped each with their weight, is still common in many parts of the East; and every merchant at the gates or the bazar has his scales at his girdle. 19. Abraham burled Sarah Thus he got possession of Machpelah, and deposited the remains of his lamented partner in a family vault which was the only spot of ground he owned. , CHAPTER XXIV.
Ver. 1-9. A Marriage Commission. 1. And Abraham wag old . . . take a wife—His anxiety to see his son married was natural to his position as a pastoral chief Interested in preserving the honour of his tribe, and still more as a patriarch who had regard to the Divine promise of a numerous posterity. 3. thou shalt not take a wife, Ac—Among the pastoral tribes the matrimonial arrangements are made by the parents, and a youth must marry, not among strangers, but In his own tribe—custom giving him a claim, which is seldom or never resisted, to the hand of his first cousin. But Abraham had a far higher motive—a fear lest If his son married Into a Canaanitlsh family he might be gradually led away from the true God. said unto his eldest servant—Abraham being too old, and as the heir of the promise not being at liberty to make even a temporary.vlslt to his native land, was
Is drawn over the face, &i. as to conceal all but the eyes. In a bride it was a token of her reverence and su-l).jection to her husband. 67. And Isaac brought her into hla mother's . . . tent—thus establishing her at once in the rights and honours of a wife before he had seen her features. Disappointments often take place, but when Isaac saw his wife " he loved her."